O.E.S.  LIBRARY.  COP.  2. 


|,fp  ^onnedicut  Igriatltoat  ppmmeni  Station, 

j  j  j  j  j 


NEW    HAVEN",    CONN. 


BULLETIN,  No.  87. 

MARCH,    1886. 


Notice. 

The  Bulletins  of  this  Station  will  be  sent  without  further 
special  request  to  those  periodicals  and  public  institutions  which 
have  received  them  hitherto.  They  will  also  be  mailed  to  citizens 
of  Connecticut  who  send  their  names  and  addresses  to  the  Sta- 
tion for  that  purpose.  Such  applications  should  be  annually  re- 
newed as  new  mailing  lists  are  prepared  at  the  beginning  of  each 
year. 

Citizens  of  other  States  may  receive  them  together  with  the 
Annual  Report  by  remitting  fifty  cents  to  cover  cost  of  mailing, 
etc.     Such  orders  should  be  sent  in  early  in  the  year. 

As  required  by  law,  a  package  of  each  Bulletin  is  mailed  to 
every  post-office  in  the  State.  The  package  is  directed  to  the 
Postmaster,  with  a  request  to  distribute  to  farmers.  The  num- 
ber sent  will  be  increased  in  any  case  on  application. 

VALUATION   OF   FERTILIZERS. 

Explanations. 

The  average  Trade-values  or  cost,  per  pound,  of  the  ordinarily 
occurring  forms  of  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash,  as 
found  in  the  large  markets  of  New  England,  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  are  as  follows  : — 

These  Trade-values,  except  those  for  phosphoric  acid  soluble  in 
ammonium  citrate,  were  agi-eed  upon  by  the  Experiment  Stations 
of  Connecticut,  New  Jersey  and  Massachusetts  for  use  in  their 
several  States  during  1880. 


H3 


2 

Trade  Values  of  Fertilizing  Ingredients  in  Raw 
Materials  and  Chemicals  for  1886. 

Cents  per  11) 

Nitrogen  in  ammonia  salts 18.5 

"         in  nitrates 18.5 

Organic  nitrogen  in  dried  and  fine  ground  fish _  _  17 

"        in  guanos,  dried  and  fine  ground  blood  and  meat  17 

"        in  cotton  seed,  linseed  meal  and  in  castor  pomace  1 7 

"         in  fine  ground  bone 17 

"  "        in  fine  medium  bone 15 

"  "        in  medium  bone 13 

"  "        in  coarse  medium  bone __  11 

"        in  coarse  bone,  horn  shavings,  hair  and  fish  scrap        9 

Phosphoric  acid,  soluble  in  water 8 

"      soluble  in  ammonium  citrate* 7-£ 

"  ''      insoluble  in  dry  ground  fish 7 

"  "      in  fine  bone 7 

"  "      in  fine  medium  bone.. 6 

"  "      inmediumbone 5 

"  "      in  coarse  medium  bone 4 

"  "      in  coarse  bone 3 

"  "      in  fine  ground  rock  phosphate ....         2 

Potash  as  high  grade  sulphate 5  £ 

"  kainit _ 44. 

"  muriate 44, 

The  above  Trade-values  are  the  figures  at  which  in  March  the 
respective  ingredients  could  be  bought  at  retail  for  cash,  in  our 
large  markets,  in  the  raw  materials  which  are  the  regular  source 
of  supply.  They  also  correspond  to  the  average  wholesale  prices 
for  the  six  months  ending  March  1st,  plus  about  20  per  cent,  in 
case  of  goods  for  which  we  have  wholesale  quotations.  The  val- 
uations obtained  by  use  of  the  above  figures  will  be  found  to 
agree  fairly  with  the  reasonable  retail  price  at  the  large  markets 
of  standard  raw  materials  such  as : — 

Sulphate  of  Ammonia,  Azotin, 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  Dry  Ground  Fish, 

Muriate  of  Potash,  Cotton  Seed, 

Sulphate  of  Potash,  Castor  Pomace, 

Dried  Blood,  Bone, 

Plain  Superphosphate.  Ground  So.  Car.  Rock. 

*  Dissolved  from  2  grams  of  the  unground  phosphate  previously  extracted  with 
pure  water,  by  100  c.  c.  neutral  solution  of  Ammonium  Citrate,  sp.  gr.  1.09,  in  30 
minutes,  at  65°  C,  with  agitation  once  in  five  minutes.  Commonly  called 
"reverted  "  or  "  backgone  "  Phosphoric  Acid. 


3 

Trade  Values    in    Superphosphates,  Special    Manures   and 
Mixed  Fertilizers  op  High  Grades. 

The  Organic  Nitrogen  in  these  classes  of  goods  is  reck- 
oned at  the  highest  figure  laid  down  in  the  Trade-values  of  Ferti- 
lizing Ingredients  in  Raw  Materials,  namely,  17  cents  per  pound, 
it  being  assumed  that  the  organic  nitrogen  is  derived  from  the  best 
sources,  viz :  bone,  blood,  animal  matter,  or  other  equally  good 
forms  and  not  from  leather,  shoddy,  hair  or  any  low-priced  in- 
ferior forms  of  vegetable  matter,  unless  the  contrary  is  ascer- 
tained. 

Insoluble  Phosphoric  acid  is  reckoned  at  3  cents,  it  being  as- 
sumed, unless  found  otherwise,  that  it  is  from  bone  or  similar 
source  and  not  from  rock  phosphate.  In  this  latter  form  the  in- 
soluble phosphoric  acid  is  worth  but  2  cents  per  pound.  Potash 
is  rated  at  44;  cents,  if  sufficient  chlorine  is  present  in  the  fertilizer 
to  combine  with  it  to  make  muriate.  If  there  is  more  Potash 
present  than  will  combine  with  the  chlorine,  then  this  excess  of 
Potash  is  reckoned  as  sulphate. 

In  most  cases  the  valuation  of  the  Ingredients  in  Superphos- 
phates and  Specials  falls  below  the  retail  price  of  these  goods. 
The  difference  between  the  two  figures,  represents  the  manufac- 
turer's charges  for  converting  raw  materials  into  manufactured 
articles.  These  charges  are  for  grinding  and  mixing,  bagging  or 
barreling,  storage  and  transportation,  commission  to  agents  and 
dealers,  long  credits,  interest  on  investment,  bad  debts,  and 
finally,  profits. 

In  1885  the  average  selling  price  of  Amrnoniated  Superphos- 
phates and  Guanos  was  137.60,  the  average  valuation  was  $30.47, 
and  the  difference  §7.13 — an  advance  of  23.4  percent,  on  the 
valuation  and  on  the  wholesale  cost  of  the  fertilizing  elements  in 
the  raw  materials. 

In  case  of  Specials  the  average  cost  was  $44.80,  the  average 
valuation  $38.70,  and  the  difference  $6.10  or  less  than  16.0  per 
cent,  advance  on  the  valuation. 

To  obtain  the  Valuation  of  a  Fertilizer  (i.  e.  the  money-worth 
of  its  fertilizing  ingredients),  we  multiply  the  pounds  per  ton  of 
Nitrogen,  etc.,  by  the  trade-value  per  pound.  We  thus  get  the 
values  per  ton  of  the  several  ingredients,  and  adding  them  to- 
gether we  obtain  the  total  valuation  per  ton. 

Further  explanations  may  be  found  in  the  Annual  Report. 


FERTILIZER   ANALYSES. 

Cotton  Hull  Ashes. 

The  three  following  samples  were  sent  by  Ariel  Mitchelson, 
Tariffville. 

1594  has  a  light  color.  1593  is  of  medium  shade,  and  1595 
is  dark  in  color. 

Analyses. 

1594       1593       1595 

Phosphoric  acid  soluble  in  water .17  .56         2.57 

"  ''    soluble  in  ammonium  citrate* . .     5.60         4.88         4.31 

"  "    only  soluble  in  acid 16  .29         1.50 

Potash  soluble  in  water. 28.54       26.34       20.59 

Valuation  per  ton ..$40.12     $37.31     $33.83 

The  valuations  are  based  on  the  schedule  of  Trade-values  for 
1886,  viz  :  Soluble  phosphoric  acid,  8  cents  per  pound,  reverted 
phosphoric  acid,  7^  cents,  insoluble  phosphoric  acid,  2  cents, 
potash,  5£  cents. 

15  Analyses  of  Cotton  Hull  Ashes  have  been  made  at  this 
Station  during  the  last  two  years.  The  average  composition  as 
well  as  the  maximum  and  minimum  per  centages  of  the  most  val- 
uable ingredients  are  given  below,, 

Average.  Maximum.  Minimum. 

Phosphoric  acid  soluble  in  water 1.29           2.57  .17 

"             "     soluble  in  ammonium  citrate*.     5.55           8.06  4.18 

"             "     only  soluble  in  acid 1.27           3.34  .16 

Potash  soluble  in  water 24.52  32.52  13.14 

These  figures  show  that  the  material  is  quite  variable  in  com- 
position. The  ashes  which  are  lightest  in  color  are  usually  richest 
in  potash. 

Star  Fish. 

Star  fish  which  are  the  most  destructive  pest  of  the  oyster  beds 
on  our  coast  are  brought  ashore  in  considerable  quantity  by  boats 
which  are  engaged  in  removing  them  by  dredges  from  the  beds. 
They  have  been  composted  and  used  as  manure  to  some  extent. 
The  following  analysis  was  made  on  Star  fish  kindly  supplied  by 
J.  and  G.  H.  Smith,  150  Long  Wharf. 

The  Stars  were  taken  immediately  after  being  landed.  For 
comparison*  the  analysis  of  horse  manure  of  average  quality  is 
also  given. 

*  "  Reverted." 


Star  Fish. 

Horse  Manure. 

68.78 

71.30 

15.13 

25.40 

[1.72] 

[  -58.] 

16.09 

3.30  - 

.48 

.54 

.31 

.10 

7.22 

.21 

.63 

.14 

.12 

.11 

.25 

.28 

.32 

.07 

5.81 

_. 

.47 

.04 

.59 

1.21 

16.20 

3.25 

.11 

Water - .  .. 

Organic  matter .. 

Containing  nitrogen 

Ash 

100.00  100.00 

The  ash  contains — 

Potash 

Soda 

Lime -. 

Magnesia 

Oxide  of  iron 

Phosphoric  acid 

Sulphuric       "      

Carbonic        "      

Chlorine 

Sand  and  silica  . 


Deduct  oxygen  equiv.  chlorine 

16.09 

The  analyses  indicate  that  the  fresh  Star  fish  contain  about  as 
much  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  and  three  times  as  much  nitro- 
gen as  average  horse  manure.  The  percentage  of  water  is  not 
very  different.  Horse  manure  contains  10  per  cent,  more  of  or- 
ganic matter  which  on  some  lands  has  considerable  value  as  an 
amendment,  while  the  Star  fish  supply  about  12  per  cent,  of  use- 
ful carbonate  of  lime.  The  organic  matter  of  the  Star  fish  rap- 
idly decays  and  liquifies  and  its  nitrogen  quickly  becomes  available 
as  plant  food.  The  organic  matter  of  horse  manure  is  largely 
vegetable  fiber  that  has  resisted  digestion  and  requires  considera- 
ble time  to  decay  away.  The  nitrogen  of  horse  manure  is  ac- 
cordingly much  less  effective  than  that  of  the  Star  fish. 

Analysis  of   Florida  Oranges. 

A  considerable  number  of  Connecticut  citizens  are  interested 
in  orange  growing  in  Florida,  and  from  time  to  time  inquiries 
have  been  made  as  to  the  requirements  of  that  crop  which  could 
not  be  satisfactorily  answered  from  the  data  at  hand. 

The  subjoined  analysis  of  a  fine  sample  of  orange  fruit  gath- 
ered in  its  best  condition  about  the  first  of  January  and  furnished 
by  Mr.  T.  W.  T.  Curtis  of  New  Haven  from  his  grove  in  Florida, 


*w 


li 

has  been  made  in  order  to  ascertain  what  is  carried  off  the  land 
in  the  orange  crop.  The  analysis  includes  the  whole  fruit  as  it 
comes  into  market. 

Water  (with  some  volatile  oil)  expelled  at  212° 85.29 

Organic*  and  volatile  matter  (lost  at  low  red  heat) 14.27 

Ash  (reckoned  free  from  carbon  and  carbonic  acid) .44 

100.00 
The  ash  contains — 

Potash 56.44 

Soda 1.81 

Lime. 18.70 

Magnesia 4.72 

Oxide  of  iron .50 

Phosphoric  acid 13.28 

Sulphuric       " 4.15 

Silica 40 

100.00 

The  oranges  in  a  single  box  exclusive  of  the  case  and  packing 
weighed  64.5  pounds.  The  yield  per  acre  was  100  boxes  or  6450 
pounds  of  fruit.  The  export  per  acre  in  this  crop  is  accordingly 
as  follows  : 

Nitrogen .- 9.2  pounds. 

Potash.. 16.0  " 

Soda 0.5  " 

Lime.. ._  5.3  " 

Magnesia 1.4  " 

Oxide  of  iron 0  1  i; 

Phosphoric  acid 3.8  '' 

Sulphuric  acid 1.2  " 

Silica 0.1 

Fodder  Analyses. 
Buckwheat  Mill  Products. 

The  three  following  samples  were  sent  by  the  Quinnebaug 
store,  Danielsonville.  They  represent  the  products  of  a  new 
milling  process  there  in  operation. 

CCXII.     Buckwheat  Hulls. 

CCXIII.  Buckwheat  Bran  or  Middlings. 

CCXV.     Buckwheat  Flour. 

*  Containing  nitrouvu     .14. 


1 

The  Hulls  are  of  very  little  feeding  value,  considerably  less 
than  wheat  or  rye  straw.  The  digestibility  of  their  albuminoids 
is  probably  less  than  that  of  straw.  As  regards  its  chemical 
composition  the  flour  is  of  superior  quality.  The  bran  or  midd- 
lings is  remarkable,  being  a  much  more  concentrated  food  than 
wheat  bi*an  and  more  nearly  resembling  gluten  meal  or  linseed 
meal  in  its  content  of  albuminoids  or  protein  and  fat.  It  should 
be  used  at  first  with  great  caution,  but  may  prove  to  be  an  excel- 
lent feed  if  produced  in  sufficient  quantity.  The  analyses  are 
given  in  tabular  form  further  on. 

Oat  Feed. 

CCXVII.  Oat  feed.  Sampled  and  sent  by  Benj.  F.  Case, 
Canton  Center. 

Mr.  Case  says  :  "  It  is  said  to  be  the  product  of  an  oatmeal 
mill  where  they  can  use  none  but  strictly  No.  1  oats  that  are  per- 
fectly sweet,  which  are  thoroughly  cleaned  and  dried  before 
crushing."     [See  analysis  further  on.] 

The  analysis  shows  that  this  material  has  about  l£  per  cent, 
more  of  albuminoids,  a  per  cent,  more  of  fat,  3£  per  cent,  more 
fiber  and  4f  per  cent,  less  nitrogen-free  extract  than  average  oats. 
If  wholly  made  from  clean  oats  the  digestibility  should  not  be 
less  than  that  of  oats. 

The  Buekhorn  Fern.     [Osmwida  regalis,  L.] 

CCXVI.  This  sample  (2  pounds)  was  sent  by  L.  J.  Platts,  Esq., 
JDeep  River,  who  says  in  regard  to  it,  "  It  is  known  here  as  the 
buekhorn  or  broad  leaf  brake.  Of  all  products  of  swamp  land 
cattle  will  eat  this  with  the  greatest  relish  when  cured  as  hay, 
picking  out  every  leaf  before  eating  much  of  the  bog  hay.  It  is 
probably  the  only  fern  they  eat  much  of.  Sheep  will  eat  most 
varieties  to  some  extent.  It  grows  to  a  considerable  extent  in 
most  swamps  mixed  with  bog  and  other  grasses."  This  sample 
was  cut  about  the  middle  of  August,  and  consisted  entirely  of 
sterile  fronds. 

As  far  as  the  chemical  analysis  indicates  it  is  equal  to  good 
meadow  hay,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that  chemical  analysis 
alone  cannot  determine  the  feeding  value. 


Buckwheat 
Hulls. 
CCXII. 

Water. 14.07 

Ash 2.27 

Albuminoids  or  Protein  .       4.87 

Fiber 38.49 

Nitrogen-free  extract 39.20 

Fat 1.10 

100.00 
Percentage  digestibility 
of  the  albuminoids 10.2 


Buckwheat 
Middlings. 
CCXIIi. 

Buckwheat 
Flour. 
CCXV. 

Oat 

Feed. 
CCXVll. 

Kern. 

(Osniuti'la. 

ccxvr. 

1 6.33 

17.63 

8.19 

14.56 

5.50 

.83 

4.24 

6.09 

30.31 

8.13 

12.64 

10.24 

4.02 

.52 

12.48 

21.60 

36.29 

71.10 

56.31 

45.10 

7.55 

1.79 

6.14 

2.41 

100.00 


95.8 


100.00 


93.9 


100.00 


100.00 


Ash 2.64 

Albuminoids  or  Protein..  5.66 

Fiber 44.79 

Nitrogen-free  extract 45.62 

Fat 1.29 

100.00 


Water  Free. 

6.57 

1.00 

4.61 

7.11 

36.20 

9.87 

13.76 

11.99 

4.79 

.63 

13.59 

25.29 

43.43 

86.34 

61.36 

52.79 

9.01 

2.16 

6.68 

2.89 

100.00 


100.00 


100.00 


100.00 


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